Parcel supporting device



March 8, 1938. F, KENT 2,110,128

PARCEL SUPPORTING DEVI CE Filed June s, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 5 i ADVERTISING i a 7 /v5/-- Invenio? I; Wit M fly hisA Ziorneys Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNlTED STATES PATENT GFFICE PARCEL SUPPORTING DEVICE Application June 6,

3 Ciaims.

This invention relates to combination parcel supporting and advertising display devices and particularly to a compact, ornate device of such type especially adapted for the convenience of persons utilizing dressing rooms, toilets and fitting rooms.

It is an object of my invention to provide a compact device of the type referred to adapted to be supported from a wall or the like and in the form of a shallow cabinet, the front of which constitutes a swingable shelf adapted to project a considerable distance into a room to support packages and bundles and to further call attention of the owner to such parcels when the owner leaves the room.

It is a further object to provide a parcel supporting and display device wherein the advertising display is concealed until the device is put into use for the support of packages and the like 30 and wherein the advertising display is animated or moved by the swinging or shifting of the parcel supporting means from inoperative to operative or supporting position.

Another object is the provision of a simple,

25 compact and emcient device of the class described of strong, rigid construction, although comparatively light in weight and capable of withstanding hard usage.

Still a further object is the provision of a device of the class described wherein the advertising copy may be readily changed and wherein compartments for distribution of literature, pamphlets and the like are conveniently provided and are detachable with panels 01' sheets which may or may not be used as a part of the device.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be more fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an embodiment of my invention with the parcel shelf disposed in horizontal or supporting position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken centrally of the device with the parcel shelf in vertical, compact position;

Fig. 4 is a detail cross section taken approximately on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a front elevation illustrating a replaceable panel for containing advertising copy;

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on the line 5-- of Fig. 5;

1935, Serial No. 25,227

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a detail horizontal section taken through one of the pivots for the parcel shelf and showing the frictional means associated with such pivot;

Fig. 9 is a detail section showing the construction of a suitable type of panel retainer;

Fig. 10 is an end elevation of a somewhat different and modified form of my invention, the supporting position of the parcel shelf being shown in dotted lines, and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view with some parts broken away showing a portion of the parcel shelf in front elevation and showing a portion of a suitable detachable advertising panel associated with the device.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, a shallow frame F is provided in the form of a cabinet having end walls l3 the inner edges of which are provided with attachment flanges 43a and the outer edges of which are provided with narrow flanges I3b. End walls l3 are rigidly connected together and spaced apart through the medium of the supporting shelf S and also the hinge H as will later more fully appear. A pair of horizontal arms I4 are provided within the frame F, one disposed flush against each of the end walls l3 and preferably attached to said walls and having turned attachment feet Ma which are secured with flanges l3a to a wall or other vertical supporting surface. Arms I l project some distance beyond the forward edges of the end walls l3 forming brackets to which the parcel shelf S is pivoted. Shelf S is in the form of a tray having beveled top and bottom edges and is of such rectangular dimensions as to constitute the front of the device or cabinet. The shelf is provided with a suitable handle at its upper edge. Heavy pivot bolts l5 extend through arms l4 and it will be noted are disposed some distance above the lower edge of the shelf, the distance being such that when the shelf is swung from the vertical to the supporting or horizontal position shown in Fig. 2, the portion below pivot bolts l5 will be disposed within the frame and the upper portion so that edge will abut against a pair of inverted L-shaped stop plates l6 which are fixed to the arms l4 having their stop flanges disposed a short distance thereabove.

To prevent violent swinging of the shelf to supporting position, I prefer to provide the pivot bolts 15 with frictional means such as disks ll, .SOme of which are pinned to the arms l4 and the upper edge of the frame.

some of which are pinned to the shelf. Several disks are pressed together by the clamping action of bolt i5 which is provided with a nut Ilia.

The upper edges of end Walls i3 as shown are defined by inclined lines harmonizing nicely with the pivots of the shelf S and the inclined top for the frame or cabinet is formed as shown from a rectangular plate 58 hinged at its upper edge to the upper ends of flanges i311, said plate constituting, in addition to a cover for the device, a display panel for advertising. Advertising copy is preferably applied to the under side of plate l8 and consequently is not exposed until said plate is moved by swinging to upright position. This is automatically accomplished by the swinging of shelf S to horizontal supporting position through the medium of connections between said shelf and plate.

I provide a pair of links l9, one adjacent each end of the frame, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected with lugs secured to the under side of plate l8 and the lower ends of which are pivotally connected with the interior of shelf S at points adjacent the lower edge thereof. 7

If desired, further advertising material or literature and folders for distribution may be carried by the interior of frame F and will not be ex posed until the shelf is swung to horizontal position. In Figs. 1, 3, and 5 I illustrate alternative panels which nicely fit the interior of the frame and can readily be installed or removed. The panel 2!! shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is of such size as to span the flanges I3a of the frame and extend in height from the shelf to approximately As shown, panel 20 carries several literature pockets or receptacles 2| open at their upper ends for insertion or removal of advertising material. The central of said pockets, as shown, is provided with a glass front 22 held in place by retaining clips 23 which may be integrally formed and bent from the front wall of the receptacle proper. Between the glass and the front wall advertising copy may be removably inserted. If desired, of course, the other receptacles 2! may be formed similarly to the central receptacle.

The lower edge of panel 28 rests upon the turned feed I la of arms M and is secured in place by suitable means such as the flatted disks 24 which are pivoted to the medial portions of flanges 03a and are adapted to over-lap the vertical edges of panel 2% when turned to operative position and to permit removal of said panel when the flatted portions are disposed parallel with the side edges of the panel.

' In Figs. 5, 6 and '7 is illustrated an alternative panel 25 which also is adapted to fit the frame, occupying substantially the position of panel 26. Panel 25, as shown, comprises an envelope open at one of its ends and having a backing 25c spaced from the marginal frame 25b; A sheet of celluloid may form a front for the panel and advertising copy in the form of a card or cards may be disposed within the envelope and the panel installed in frame F in the same manner as panel 2d.

My improved device may be installed in a convenient location within a dressing room, toilet,

' fitting room or the like and I prefer to attach it is desired to utilize the parcel shelf. The downward swinging of shelf S through the connection of links 89 swings display plate It upwardly, the moving of the advertising material at tracting the attention of the user. The shelf is rigidly and effectively held in horizontal posi tion through the engagement or abutment of the lower edge of the shelf with the abutment plates i6, the said construction enabling the shelf to support comparatively heavy packages. The outward swinging of the shelf, of course, exposes the other display material or panels 20 or 25 as the case may be and where panel 20 is utilized, literature, folders, cards and the like are conspicuously positioned for attracting attention and for convenient removal from containers 2!.

The shelf S when disposed horizontally projects for a considerable distance from the sup porting wall and the user will be reminded when leaving the room, of the package or articles supported on the shelf. If mounted near the door, it will have, to some extent, an obstructing effect relative to the door, which will be an effective reminder to the person leaving.

It will be noted that the bottom of frame F is open and if, in returning shelf S to normal vertical position, small packages or articles are on the shelf, they will drop through the open bottom and be discovered by the user.

The form of invention illustrated in Figs. 10 and H is of simplified construction. Instead of a cabinet or housing, its frame consists in a pair of brackets 30 having hinged attachment flanges which are secured to the wall or other supporting surface. Abutment or stop plates 3! are secured some distance above the lower ends of the attachment flanges and are adapted, as in the case of the form first described, to engage the lower edge of the shelf S, which shelf is pivoted to the outer and central portion of brackets 3d, the axis of the said pivots extending some distance above the lower edge of shelf S. Friction disks are preferably utilized associated with the pivots to prevent violent swinging of the shelf to horizontal position.

If desired, advertising material in the form of a panel 32 may be attached to the device and as shown has cut out portions at the lower corners of the panel which rest upon the abutment plates H. The vertical edges of the panel are engaged and retained by suitable means such as a pair of fiatted disks 33 one disposed at each side of the frame pivoted to the appropriate bracket 30 and as shown engaging a notched or recessed portion of the panel edge. The op eration and functions of the shelf S are similar to those of the shelf S of the form of invention first described.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a compact, simple and efficient parcel supporting and advertising displa device adaptedto be widely used in dressing rooms, toilets and fitting rooms to conveniently support parcels or packages, to advertise products and dispense literature and to remind the user of that room to pick up the parcels or objects before leaving the room.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, proportions and arrangement of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth and in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. A parcel supporting device comprising a pair of end members, a parcel shelf pivotally connected to said end members for swinging on a horizontal axis, said axis being disposed intermediate of the upper and lower edge of said shelf, said shelf being normally disposed in vertical position between said end members and being adapted to be swung to horizontal parcel supporting position, the return of said shelf to vertical position causing any articles thereon to drop therefrom, and means connected with said end members for abutting the lower edge of said shelf when the same is swung to horizontal supporting position.

2. A combination parcel supporting and display device, comprising a pair of spaced supports, a parcel shelf hinged to said supports for swinging on a horizontal axis and normally disposed in vertical position, the pivots for said shelf being disposed a short distance above the lower edge thereof and near the front of said supports, means for retaining said shelf in horizontal supporting position, a plate hinged to said supports above said shelf and normally extend ing from its hinged connection with said supports to the upper edge of said shelf and a link connecting the lower edge of said shelf with a point disposed forwardly of the hinged edge of said plate, whereby said plate will be swung upwardly and reversed when said shelf is swung to a horizontal position.

3. A combination parcel supporting and display device, comprising a pair of opposed end members, a shelf hinged to said members for swinging on a horizontal axis and normally disposed in vertical position forming the front of a cabinet, the pivots for said shelf being disposed a short distance above the lower edge thereof and near the front of said end members, abutment means for engaging said edge to retain said shelf in horizontal supporting position, a display plate hinged to said end members along a horizontal axis disposed some distance above the upper edge of said shelf, said plate extending upwardly from the upper edge of said shelf when in normal position and forming the top of a cabinet and a link pivoted at one end to said shelf at a point disposed adjacent the lower edge of said shelf and pivoted at its opposite end to said plate at a point disposed forwardly of said hinged edge whereby said plate will be swung upwardly into a substantially vertical position and reversed when said shelf is swung to a substantially horizontal position.

FREDERICK W, KENT, 

